Laborers Health & Wellness Clinics

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here for all your preventive care needs, including HPV and Pap tests. 

If you’re a woman approaching a milestone birthday – turning age 21 or age 30 – you’ve likely heard that you’re due for new health screenings. Here’s what you and your loved ones need to know about HPV and cervical cytology (known as a Pap test). 

How often you should get screened

Routine cervical cancer screenings are recommended between the ages of 21 and 65. However, your doctor may recommend different timing based on your health and past screening results.

If you’re between 21 and 29 years old, it’s generally recommended that you get cervical cytology every three years. It’s important to find cervical cancer early, in its most treatable, precancerous stage.

If you’re between the ages of 30 and 65, there are different testing options. Your doctor may recommend you also get an HPV test. The combination of cervical cytology and HPV testing is called co-testing.

The HPV vaccine

Getting the HPV vaccine is the best way to prevent cervical cancer. Most cervical cancer is the result of a persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common virus that can spread during sexual contact with someone who has it. Most sexually active people will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives.

Schedule your screening today

Talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team about all your preventive health and screening needs. We can find personalized solutions that work best for you.

Schedule an appointment today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here to help you and your family get ready for another school year.

Your child’s health – physical and mental – matters. It affects success inside and outside the classroom. Studies show that good health leads to higher academic achievement, improved performance in activities and better behavior.

Your Laborers Health & Wellness clinic team can help your family get ready for the new school year. Scheduling appointments is quick and easy. 

10 ways to prepare for the school year

These tips can help kids thrive at home and school:

  1. Make sure immunizations are up to date
  2. Schedule a sports physical for fall athletes
  3. Encourage proper hygiene (in and out of the classroom)
  4. Get them moving
  5. Prepare healthy school lunches
  6. Create a sleep routine for school nights
  7. Help your child with anxiety about going back to school by removing unknowns
  8. Make mental health OK to talk about
  9. Watch for behavior changes in your child
  10. Know when to ask for help

We’re here to help

Talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team about all your kids’ health and well-being needs. We can find personalized solutions that work best for you and your family.

Schedule an appointment today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

Taking care of your health should be simple. The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics give you easy access to care when it matters most, including flexible and affordable virtual care options.

Whether you wake up with an ear infection or need help managing a chronic condition, we can help. Our team works hard to keep our wait times as short as possible, so you can get the care you need quickly.

One-stop care

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics can diagnose and treat many health conditions, including:

We’re here to help

Talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team about all your health and well-being needs. We can find personalized solutions that work best for you. Schedule an appointment today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here for you and all of your skincare needs.

Summer goes fast in Minnesota; you have to make the most of it. Having fun in the sun is great for quality time with family, your mental health and getting some much-needed vitamin D. But the sun’s strong ultraviolet rays can be harmful without the right protection.

Choose a sunscreen that:

The best sunscreen for sensitive skin

Since certain sunscreens can cause dryness, itchiness and breakouts, it’s important to choose one that is gentle enough for even the most reactive skin. Chemical sunscreens may clog pores, so mineral or oil-free sunscreens with hypoallergenic ingredients can be a good option for those with acne, sensitive skin or rosacea.

The best sunscreen for swimming  

If you’re going to be in the water – including one of our 10,000 lakes – look for a sunscreen that has “water-resistant” on the label. These sunscreens have to pass a regulated SPF test. Water-resistant sunscreens can be effective for 40-80 minutes when applied as directed, so check the label and reapply as necessary.

We’re here to help

Talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team about all your skincare health and well-being needs, including skin checks. We can make personalized recommendations to keep your skin healthy and looking its best during all of our ever-changing Minnesota seasons.

Schedule an appointment today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here for you and all of your allergy care and well-being needs.

Watery eyes, congestion and an itchy throat are all possible symptoms of an environmental allergy. This incredibly common condition affects millions of Americans. It’s possible to develop allergies later in life – even if you never had them as a child.

Seasonal allergies

Allergens that are present or at higher levels at certain times of the year are referred to as seasonal allergies. Common triggers for outdoor seasonal allergies include tree and grass pollen, ragweed pollen and mold spores. As they grow, plants and mold release pollen and spores into the air. When you breathe in pollen and spores, it can cause inflammation, irritation and other symptoms.

For some, symptoms may be just a case of the sneezes a couple times a year. But for others, seasonal allergies can cause congestion; a runny, itchy nose; watery eyes, headaches and more for weeks or months at a time. Spring allergy season can start as early as March.

Year-round allergies

Year-round allergies to dust mites, pets and mold can also develop in adulthood. Dust mites like bedding, carpet, stuffed animals and furniture. So if you have a dust mite allergy, it’s possible to have allergy issues throughout the year.

We’re here to help

Talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team about all your allergy-related health and well-being needs. We can discuss testing and treatment options to find a solution that works best for you.

Schedule an appointment today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here for you and all of your preventive care and well-being needs.

Colorectal (colon) cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. It’s a cancer that can be prevented or detected at an early stage – when it’s most effectively treated. That’s why it’s so important to follow screening guidelines.

Don’t wait for symptoms

Colon cancer screenings look for cancer or precancer in people who have no symptoms. Many people with colon cancer or rectal cancer don’t experience symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

Latest guidance: Start at age 45

American Cancer Society recommends that men and women begin colon cancer screenings at age 45. The starting age used to be 50, but this was updated in 2021 because colon cancer in younger people has increased. Your

Colonoscopies

Doctors use colonoscopies to check the lining of your colon for anything unusual, such as inflamed tissue and polyps (small growths that can become cancerous). Your doctor can detect and remove precancerous lesions during the procedure, helping prevent cancer in the future.

FIT tests

A relatively new screening alternative is FIT tests. These are annual stool tests that look for the presence of blood in your stool, which can be a sign of colon cancer. A FIT test is noninvasive, convenient and collected right at home.

We’re here to help

Talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team about all your preventive care needs. We can discuss your risk factors and help you decide whether a colonoscopy or FIT test is right for you. Schedule an appointment at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here for you and your travel-related health.

Sunburn, dehydration, diarrhea, infection and illness can take the fun out of any family vacation. The good news is there are things you can do before, during and after your trip to help you stay healthy.

Preparation before you go

Packing list

  1. Prescription medications for your carry-on
  2. Over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol, Advil and Imodium
  3. Health insurance card
  4. Snacks like bars, granola, nuts and dried fruit
  5. Hand wipes and sanitizer
  6. Sunscreen and insect repellant

Water and food safety while traveling

Drinking tap water might get you sick in less developed countries. Stick with bottled water to avoid bacteria and water-based illnesses. Also avoid raw foods and prepared fruits, vegetables and fresh juices.

When you feel sick after traveling

If you have symptoms that last more than a few days after you return home from vacation, talk to your Laborers Health & Wellness care team for advice. Don’t delay if you have fever over 103 degrees Fahrenheit, or if you have an unusual skin rash or signs of an infection. Schedule an appointment at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

10 ways to lower your cholesterol

It’s possible to lower your cholesterol levels naturally, without using medication. The Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here for you and all of your cholesterol concerns.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance our bodies need to build healthy cells. Although cholesterol often gets a bad rap, our bodies can’t function without it.

Bad vs. good cholesterol

Not all cholesterol is the same. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) – or “bad cholesterol” – can make plaque in your arteries, putting you at risk for heart disease and vascular issues. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) – “good cholesterol” – helps remove bad cholesterol from your bloodstream.

If you have high cholesterol levels, it usually means that you have too much LDL and not enough HDL. High cholesterol levels affect one in three Americans.

10 tips for lowering cholesterol levels

  1. Read nutrition labels to avoid trans fats.
  2. Choose meats with fewer saturated fats, like fish and chicken.
  3. Get more fiber with whole grain bread, kidney beans and quinoa.
  4. Boost unsaturated fats and fiber by snacking on fruits, vegetables and nuts.
  5. Embrace low-fat milk, cheese and yogurts.
  6. Prepare your foods by baking or grilling, instead of frying.
  7. Substitute healthy oils in place of butter and margarine.
  8. Have at least one vegetarian meal a week.
  9. Work more movement into your daily tasks.
  10. Ask your doctor about a plan to lower your cholesterol (especially if you
    smoke or you’re overweight)

Schedule your next screening

Most adults have their cholesterol screened during annual physicals. Talk to a Laborers Health & Wellness clinician about a schedule that’s right for you. Learn more at https://www.healthpartners.com/cholesterol and schedule an appointment today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

Get quick and convenient care at Well@Work

With flu, COVID and norovirus cases on the rise, primary care clinics, urgent care clinics and emergency rooms are at capacity and struggling with long wait times. But you can still get quick and convenient care at the Laborers Health & Wellness clinics, where same-day or next-day appointments are often available. We also offer virtual appointment options and easy online scheduling. Come see us for:

Schedule a visit at a Laborers Health & Wellness clinic visit today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

During the cold winter months, everyone’s hands get a little rough. The good news is you can manage dry skin and eczema year round by changing the products you use and how frequently you moisturize.

HealthPartners Dermatologist Daniel Krakora, MD, shares insights about dry skin – and itchy hands, arms, legs and elbows – on episode 38 of For Health’s Sake podcast.

Learn the science behind your skin’s health, including:

If you still have questions, your Laborers Health & Wellness clinics are here to support your winter skin needs. Schedule a visit today at https://www.healthpartners.com/laborersschedule or call 952-687-8100.

Through the contributions you make to the Health and Welfare Fund, the high quality health care you and your family receives within your clinics is completely covered.
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